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Making Fun of the “Geniuses” At THE Apple Store

written by John Chow on August 19, 2010

How one lazy bum made $176,697.50

New York is home to the Apple Store. I’m not talking about any Apple Store, I’m talking about THE Apple Store. The Apple Store on 767 Fifth Avenue is Apple’s flagship store. It’s the store that all the major news media outlets go to film when Apple launches a new product. What makes this Apple Store special is a combination of unique design, it’s underground with a big glass cube above ground, and astronomical sales numbers.

The 5th Avenue Apple Store is the most profitable store in the world. No other store from any industry can match its sale number. The Fifth Avenue store generates an unbelievable $30,000 of sales per square foot of space. Ten thousand square feet times $30,000 equals $300 million a year income. This store literally prints money for Apple. This is also the only Apple store that is open 24 hours a day. It never closes, not even on Christmas day. When something is making this much money, you keep it open! We showed up at the store at about 11PM and it was packed. Every Mac was being used by customers. The only Macs we could try out were the kiddie ones.

Unlike a typical Apple Store, the Fifth Avenue store has a not one but two Genius Bars to answer your questions. In tradition of The Big Bang Theory, we decided to head over to the Apple Store to make fun of the geniuses. After this video, you’ll understand why Apple doesn’t allow people to take photos or videos in their stores.

applestore

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{ 69 comments }

Tyler August 19, 2010 at 11:10 pm

You just asked 1 guy 1 question? I was expecting you guys to heckle them! Go back there and do some more heckling!!

PPC Ian August 19, 2010 at 11:23 pm

That would have been really funny! The guy looked really worried/confused after just one question.

John Chow August 19, 2010 at 11:34 pm

We would have gotten kicked out if we try to ask any more questions with the camera running! LOL

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 20, 2010 at 12:55 am

Well that will be also fun to watch …. kicking your ass … boom … boomm … lollzz

Nabeel | Create Your First Website August 20, 2010 at 1:09 am

Why don’t they allow cameras in the store?

John Chow August 20, 2010 at 1:58 am

They don’t disallow them, but they don’t like being made fun of on camera.

Email List Building August 20, 2010 at 9:38 am

I’m not surprised. They could be exposed for not being geniuses, although at their flagship store they probably know more than in Vancouver and White Rock where they didn’t know of any issues like a black screen of death when installing Windows 7 in Boot Camp on some new Macs.

d3so August 20, 2010 at 11:19 am

That’s a valid reason why cameras aren’t allowed…to run.

Dan Lew September 4, 2010 at 7:46 pm

What sort of camera was it? Or were you pretending to sms with your phone up like that?

PPC Ian August 19, 2010 at 11:18 pm

John,
I had no idea the NY Apple store was that profitable. That’s truly remarkable! I hope to visit that store one of these days.
All the best,
Ian

Online Property Lab August 20, 2010 at 9:09 am

Amazing amount of money! I nearly fell off my chair when John said how much that place makes. What a money machine. Love the guys face when he was asked the question!

d3so August 20, 2010 at 11:25 am

Yeah, I’d definitely want to go there too.

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 21, 2010 at 9:39 pm

I am sure Apple launched every product from this store first … and that’s why this store is getting more and more value.

Dan Lew September 4, 2010 at 7:48 pm

Steve Jobs sleeps in the room behind the front desk! LOL!

PPC Ian August 19, 2010 at 11:22 pm

I can’t believe that “genius” didn’t know the stock ticker for Apple!

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 20, 2010 at 12:57 am

I do not know but why you guys are calling that salesman as “GENIUS”

He is not Genius that’s why he is a sales person.

Jason August 20, 2010 at 8:48 am

Thats just the title that the Apple store gives them!

Mangalary August 20, 2010 at 9:06 am

It’s because the guy knows everything about Apple, the stock number library, maybe that’s what John wants to express…

Email List Building August 20, 2010 at 9:41 am

Why couldn’t a sales person be a genius? Geniuses aren’t necessarily good at school. Einstein certainly wasn’t.

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 20, 2010 at 9:35 pm

@ Email

Because Genius people wont waste their life in selling few hundreds dollars gadgets …

And I am sure Apple management wont waste their genius employee on selling counter as normal salesman.

Dan Lew September 4, 2010 at 7:50 pm

Some geniuses don’t even know they are geniuses, they discover that they later in life!

Nabeel | Create Your First Website August 20, 2010 at 1:21 am

Why are the store employees called genius bars?

John Chow August 20, 2010 at 2:10 am

For the same reason the iPad is call magical…. Marketing.

Email List Building August 20, 2010 at 5:03 pm

They could be overdoing it with names like that. Magical things are found in Disney World where everyone knows they are made up.

krillz August 21, 2010 at 4:46 pm

And yet every girl still waits on their disney prince to come and sweep them of their feet.

Translated to mac, every person still wish they could go in their and buy the thing they want without giving thier wallet a cardiac arrest.

Dan Lew September 4, 2010 at 7:53 pm

It looked like fun while it lasted! It would be good to see if Microsoft are smarter? Ask the same question in a Microsoft Store and see if they can answer it?

Lindsey August 29, 2010 at 9:00 pm

Store employees are not called genius bars. The Genius Bar is where customers can make appointments to have products serviced or ask quick questions. The Genius is a job title that is a fancy alternative for service technician, where they know all things hardware and software. Computers are repaired in store by these Genii because they are certified. Salespeople are called Specialists, and they know all things retail like pricing and promotions. The Apple Store is a remarkable little ecosystem!

Adrian Childers August 19, 2010 at 11:26 pm

As we later found out, it’s “AAPL” for those that are curious.

Irish Garden Home August 21, 2010 at 12:51 am

Thanks, I was wondering about that, now if I only could find my time machine and go back a few years to buy some Apple stocks … SY

Michael Kwan August 19, 2010 at 11:34 pm

I’ve taken pictures and videos in Apple Stores before without any hassle from the employees. They don’t care.

And just one question? that’s not very fun.

John Chow August 19, 2010 at 11:39 pm

They asked us to stop filming after the first question! LOL

Email List Building August 20, 2010 at 9:43 am

Too bad you didn’t record them asking you that.

Earl August 21, 2010 at 3:09 pm

Ha, sorry, it was me recording. I was too bust running the hell away before they called security ;)

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 22, 2010 at 10:02 pm

Grrrrr … So Earl you spoiled all the fun …

You should shoot till they kick … lollzzz

S Martin August 20, 2010 at 10:56 am

LOL.. It might be they know all 3 of you John. It would be bad if you give them another “Genius question” and they couldn’t answer it.

Earl August 21, 2010 at 3:10 pm

I don’t think they would’ve known me. It’s the first time I was ever there.

Stephen August 20, 2010 at 12:58 am

That’s what happens when you have an Apple MBA and not a REAL MBA.

MBA = Mac Book Air at the Apple Store. Not the degree.

The term “Genius” is once again totally devalued.

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 22, 2010 at 10:03 pm

and this is proved as well in above video.

Steve … are you reading this …

Stuart McMinigal August 20, 2010 at 4:18 am

Going there first stop when I hit NY next week all the way from the UK…

Alex Sorokin August 20, 2010 at 6:20 am

Do they have a lounge there? Cause I would stuck there for hours…

Timeshare Reviews August 20, 2010 at 9:50 am

Couldn’t you be badder than that? This is spooky! I started reading the comments and an Apple popup popped up, telling me some Apple updates were available. Did you arrange that, John? I don’t think there is anything you can’t do.

d3so August 20, 2010 at 11:27 am

I think that’s a coincidence.

Timeshare Reviews August 22, 2010 at 5:45 am

Oh really? I hadn’t thought of that….. ;-)

Alex August 20, 2010 at 1:23 pm

That happened as soon as I left you guys… I should have stayed :-)

And John, I still can’t follow you on twitter, you did block me, try to follow me to remove the block then you can unfollow, this way I can put you on one of my lists :-)

John Chow August 20, 2010 at 2:29 pm

I’m following you now. Are you happy? :P

Alex August 22, 2010 at 8:09 am

Very, very happy, and now you are on my top bloggers list. Was great to see you my friend and hope everything goes smooth with the move :-)

Earl August 21, 2010 at 3:05 pm

Haha – yeah man – it was fun. Once I’m on my own machine again, I’ll follow you on twitter too.

Shaun Carter August 20, 2010 at 3:02 pm

That is really sad that they wouldn’t know a simple question like that. I’m sure Steve Jobs isn’t too happy that his “geniuses” are deterring potential investors lol.

Irish Garden Home August 21, 2010 at 12:54 am

Lol, I seriously doubt that potential investors need to ask this in an Apple shop, there are other places and sources for this kind of information, SY

Earl August 21, 2010 at 3:08 pm

granted we already knew the stock symbol, and anyone that wanted to know it could just google it, but still if you’re gonna label yourself a genius… you’d better at least know the basics about your own company. It’s not like we asked a super difficult question.

krillz August 21, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Go into your local wallmart and ask the same question.

There’s a reason that they are selling electronics and not stock.

The Bad Blogger - Fool Content For Smart Bloggers August 20, 2010 at 3:10 pm

Actually when you all were about to walk in with your cam, I thought the security is going to stop you all for firming while walking into the store… but anyway, when you ask the question, I can see the guy’s face seems to feel not so happy because he might be thinking if you are testing his intelligent…

hackcorp August 20, 2010 at 7:03 pm

Whats the stock symbol for John Chow? ;)

PPC Ian August 20, 2010 at 10:34 pm

I would definitely invest in that stock!

Jeff Caceres August 20, 2010 at 11:49 pm

That crystallized-building of Apple looks amazing. They’re truly profitable and no one is going to hold their breaths even it’s holiday. It’s really worth for all investors out there.

Apple rocks!

d3so August 21, 2010 at 1:08 am

Yeah, it looks amazing. I wish they had a 24/7 store here in california.

Insurance Izzy August 24, 2010 at 10:11 am

The investment they put into that building was probably quickly worth it by the size of just that store’s profits

jtGraphic: James Thompson August 21, 2010 at 12:56 pm

I almost made it out there with you guys. Instead I ended up in Times Square, but glad to hear it turned out ok. What a trip.

Earl August 22, 2010 at 12:54 pm

See we totally could’ve used multiple camera men. A few of us go out in the open so we get caught and allow the covert dudes to keep filming. Then we could’ve gotten away with more questions… Next time… Next time…

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 22, 2010 at 10:23 pm

Aaahhh … we would love to see you with them …

Earl August 21, 2010 at 3:06 pm

Hey John, that was fun making content with ya ;) .
Hope to hang out again sometime before you move dude. Let me know when the iPad case arrives.

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 22, 2010 at 10:22 pm

Yes you guys had blast … I think James should also join you … that will be more fun.

Krystle August 22, 2010 at 1:12 am

You did something bad! Lol

Their flagship store is becoming a real landmark. That glass cube reminds me a lot of the Louvre Museum. I don’t know why though.

Insurance Izzy August 24, 2010 at 10:09 am

Alright its time for someone else to create a business model as profitable as Apple. The things I could do with $30 million a year…

remberg August 29, 2010 at 10:42 pm

It looks a lot like the apple store in Shanghai’s Pudong

John Chow September 30, 2010 at 1:44 pm

Actually, the store in Pudong is modeled after the store in NY.

Dan Lew September 4, 2010 at 7:44 pm

Haha, this looked like a lot of fun! It is fun to see someones face being caught off guard like that!

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 22, 2010 at 10:25 pm

But that was really a short video … we would love to see more and more.

ZK @ Web Marketing Blog August 23, 2010 at 11:09 pm

About Girls …

Girls really show the way to John and his team.